[Standard] USA Control

I am a big fan of playing control, but I prefer the extra reach that I find USA gives me over the more popular tri-colour control deck, Esper. I've been out of standard since Theros rotated in and any suggests from anyone who knows what the current standard environment is like would be greatly appreciated. http://www.mtgdeckbuilder.net/Decks/ViewDeck/1084292

I run a very similar deck. However, I feel as if your counters are a bit over the place and would leave a lot to slim chance for specific counter situations you will need. Here's what I'm currently running. Standard nights I've been going 3-1 to 4-0.

4x hollowed fountain

4x steam vents

3x temple of triumph

4x azorius guild gate

1x sacred foundry

4x island

2x plains

1x mountain

3x jace arch of thought

1x elspeth

1x jace memory adept

2x counterflux (feel is most important and I sometimes run more against other control)

1x elixir of immortality

4x supreme verdict

4x detention sphere

4x sphinx revelation

4x divination

4x azorius charm

2x quicken

2x syncopate

1x assemble the legions

4x dissolve

I believe that's all of it. Trying to format correctly on mobile is rough so I apologize for any goofy errors! I've been asked why I have so many different win cons. Reason being I've seen a lot of similar decks only have elspeth and elixir and get milled or out countered, thus losing. This is also why counterflux is ideal. Fiendslayer paladin, gainsay, aetherling, negate, and pithing needle are my main side board cards.

Let me know if you have any questions or input! I really enjoy this deck build.

I run a similar deck, I'm curious as to why you'd wanna run USA Control without the Super Friends. The reason I started running USA was to make use of Jace AoT, Elspeth and Ral Zarek along with Supreme Verdict and Assemble the Legion.

Same here, the 3 of those PW's are more than most decks can handle. I really like it when I have Ral Zarek and another PW out there, and they forgot about Ral gaining counters. Ultimate him for xtra turns and profit.

The decision to run USA control is that as a control player my least favourite match-up is a control mirror. While Esper is definitely the better combination in a non-mirror situation I find that the black in Esper becomes mostly dead when facing another control deck, whereas the red in USA is still pertinent. The lack of Elsebeth in this deck is purely due to the time I was absent from playing. A friend will be lending me 2 to go in over Assemble for Friday. As for Ral I just really feel like he is a win-more card and while very fun isn't really for me

Also upon re looking at your deck list. From personally experience. The mana base in this isn't shaky but doesn't always work out in your favor. So I don't think you really need Mutavualt. I also run 25 Mana at:

You should use Dissolve or Counterflux in place of Essence Scatter mainboard and run Essence Scatter sideboard. Counterflux is good in Mirror Matchups. Personally I run 3 Dissolve Mainboard, 2 Counterflux Sideboard, 3 Essence Scatter Sideboard. Unless you face creature decks often. I face a lot of Midrange so dissolve works fine.

On the Mana base point. I love Mutavault, but also I don't think its a need in this deck. I would cut that and the two basic mountains and put in three temple of triumph's in there. Gives you access to the needed mountains, and the scry really smooths out the draw in case you can't reach that draw card.

The Azorius temple looks to be the best of the 3 they have, current meta wise. Rakdos is cool too, but I think the Selesnya temple is going to be used heavily. With the minor god coming out, I think G/W is going to be a big player post release.

A friend of mine constructed a budget GW deck using the heroic mechanics and it is seriously destructive and has some cool combat tricks for a $15 deck. It has a major problem with running out of cards though so the scry land will be a very welcomed addition

I find the one Mutavault to be a god sent in control mirror and it makes aggro think twice about swinging in. Plus it's nice to get in for the extra 2 after a board wipe.

I have a set of temples of triumphs and really love their effect (I would go as far to say in most control style decks they are better then the shock lands), but my reservation is that if I add them then chained to the rocks has a higher chance of being a dead card. The Azorious Temple in the next set will be an auto include though

First of all, thank you for the feedback, it's very appreciated. The last time I attended an FNM most of the decks consisted of quick aggro decks. The counter suite I put in this deck was done on the assumption that the guys at the store still play similar style decks which isn't a given. I will totally try something similar to your suite and see how it fairs Friday

I say run 3 Dissolve mainboard as its just a Counter for anything at 3 Mana. If you face control. Take out Syncopate for Counterflux and leave Dissolve as well. As for Quick Aggro / Monster decks. Sideboard the Dissolve for Essence Scatter. Given that Chained and DSphere come up often for you, creature decks should fend no problem with those.

One thing to look out for. Which may have just been me being off at playing this night but G/W Aggro / Enchantments can be a bitch.

Advent of the Wurm is super annoying as I kept forgetting he's waiting for me to tap out for it. I think Dispel would be cute to play against it because a 1 Mana bluff will draw it out.

:) hahahaha Oh its hella cute. Cuz they'll get a smile on their face like "ADVENT OF THE WURM!!!" Then you're like 1 Mana; Dispel. Awwwwwww. Lol Watching their face as they get 1 mana countered would be priceless.